DOH denies double payment for PPE supplies

The Department of Health (DOH) has denied making double payments to the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other pandemic response supplies.

The DOH clarified that it needed to procure full sets of PPE in bulk, while separately ordering loose surgical masks and face shields for healthcare workers in various settings.

During a Senate hearing, senators questioned the DOH regarding a PHP42 billion transfer to PS-DBM and subsequent repurchase of the same items at the start of the pandemic.

The DOH explained that PS-DBM operates a virtual store where government agencies can purchase common-use supplies, including PPE, for immediate release.

The department specifically purchased loose face shields and surgical masks from this virtual store to quickly enhance the PPE stock for healthcare workers in low-risk areas.